Multi-tasking Madness

As I head down the road to Quilt Market, I find myself caught up once again in the crazy world of multi-tasking. With only 11 weeks to go, I always start to panic. I look around at the piles of projects, the lists of tasks, and I tell myself next time I’ll be more organized, I’ll get things done sooner, blah, blah, blah…and of course it never happens. But this time someone has come to save me and she doesn’t even know it!

Beth Ferrier, is an author, designer and a teacher who also writes articles for “American Quilt Retailer” a magazine written for quilt shops and retailers. She also has a blog http://applewd.com/blog/ that I think you’ll enjoy. If you’ve been lucky enough to take one of her classes, or hear one of her lectures you are lucky. This is one smart lady and all of us can take something from her words of wisdom. In the latest issue of “American Quilt Retailer” she’s talking about how to become a recovering multi-tasker, something I really want to be!

“Science is telling us that multi-tasking isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. As many of us have discovered, multi-tasking often just leaves us with more stuff half done. ” “Contrary to what we’ve thought, multi-tasking doesn’t get more done, it just makes us look busier. Giving our full attention to the task at hand instead of worrying about the chores to come means not only will we finish sooner, and with fewer mistakes, but we’ll remember the pleasure that comes with savoring the fabric of all that we do.” Thanks Beth for the wonderful words of advice!

She tells us to enjoy every step of the process of making a quilt. Working on one project at a time doesn’t mean you are inefficient, it’s a joy! So my advice to all of you is to look around your sewing room and figure out where you should start. Pick one project and finish it! Think of how you will feel when it’s done! Enjoy the process. Don’t make a list of things you have to finish. Instead just pick one at a time and enjoy completing it.

After reading her article, I stopped all the thousand things I was doing, and paid attention to just one quilt. Finish this one first, I told myself, and then move on. Enjoy the process of design, the wonderful feeling of seeing a quilt design come together, the way the fabric works together to bring harmony to the quilt. This is what it’s all about. How easy this is to forget!

Anonymous -What great advice…Thanks I needed that. I have no less than 6 quilts I am currently working on. Depends on the mood of the day and what I feel like doing. Now if I could only clone just my hands and arms perhaps I could work on all of them that appeal to me at the same time. LouiseReplyCancel

blueberrylane -Love those stars, my favourite pattern and the fabrics are beautiful. Would love to come sew for you in your pretty studio…dream, dream…ReplyCancel

Hummingbird Chats -So pretty. I love all the quilts that you do. Do you make them all sizes? I looked at your shop but they looked like mini-quilt or baby quilt and I was wondering about the larger sizes. Thank you, KatieReplyCancel

Lynne in Hawaii -Great advice. It is an important wisdom for all of us in this busy, busy world.Thanks. The process can be savored and the product becomes a labor of aloha. It will show in everything you do. Love the quilt you are working on.ReplyCancel

KSedlak -I love that advice. What a great post, Anne.Thank you so much for sharing that with us. It’s great advice to pass on to family and friends.Have fun at Market.

Oh, by the way, I love the quilt that’s peeking out from the picture.The bird fabric is adorable.ReplyCancel

eamylove -You just proved how beautiful “simple” can be! Love that quilt photo and can’t wait to see the rest!ReplyCancel

Anonymous -Thanks for that reminder, Anne!Andrea in FloridaReplyCancel

The Quickie Queen -I’m so glad that you shared your panic Anne! Sometimes I feel like I’m the only designer that waits until the last minute…I don’t do it on purpose and know that you don’t either but it just seems to happen. I acutally used this plan of attack on what I needed to get accomplished in the next month and it is great advice. Good luck on all your designs and we all know that they will be beautiful as always. Have a great week and hope you get lots done.Jere’eReplyCancel

Nanette Merrill and daughters -Love the quilt in the picture. So calm looking, like your post’s suggestion. Calm process, enjoy. I think we all forget that from time to time. Its hard not to get side tracked and have so many things going on at once. It does push my limits though and make me more productive, when necessary. So anyway, whats the hurry? I need to type that up and put it by my computer.ReplyCancel

Jackie -Terrific advice! Kind of like stopping to smell the roses. How true it is when we lose site of what we are supposed to be enjoying. By the way, your blocks are wonderful!ReplyCancel

Welcome to Bunny Tales!

I’m Anne Sutton, and you’ll find me writing about the latest news from Bunny Hill, the things I love and even my favorite books.

I design for Moda Fabrics and you’ll get the latest updates on my blog. You’ll find lots of fun things, from free patterns to an occasional recipe, from applique to stories about my pets. I hope you enjoy your visit.

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